Cyber Essentials

When You Want To Improve Your Cyber Security

Cyber crime is affecting more and more businesses each day

With most if not all companies now using the internet, the threat of cyber attack is a real
issue for businesses and can cost many thousands of pounds if you get it wrong.

What would the outcome be if one or all of the following happened to your company:

Your company data was encrypted?

Your customer’s data is stolen?

You couldn’t access email or business critical data?

Cyber criminals don’t just attack banks and large companies - they target any organisation that
isn’t properly protected – even small businesses – and the majority of cyber attacks exploit basic
weaknesses in IT systems and software.

Cyber Essentials shows you how to address these basic IT flaws and prevent the most common
attacks.

What Is Cyber Essentials?

Cyber Essentials is a government-backed cyber security certification scheme that sets out a good
baseline of cyber security suitable for all organisations in all sectors. The scheme addresses five
key controls that, when implemented correctly, can prevent around 80% of cyber attacks.

Why Should I get Cyber Essentials?

Cyber Essentials helps prevent the vast majority of cyber attacks. Even a simple virus or piece of
malware could result in loss of company and client data, disrupt your cashflow and take up staff time

An attack could also put off your customers, stop you trading and damage your hard-earned
reputation. It could also be reported in the local media. Loss of data could breach the Data
Protection Act and lead to fines or prosecution.

How Will A Cyber Essentials Certificate Benefit My Business?

The main benefits of obtaining the certificate are:

Protecting your organisation against common cyber threats

Demonstrate to your customers that you take cyber security seriously

Enable you to bid for Government contracts

The final point is critical for those businesses dealing with or looking to deal with government
funded bodies across the UK.

Since October 2014 Cyber Essentials has been mandatory for suppliers of Government contracts that
involve handling personal information and providing some ICT products and services.

Holding a Cyber Essentials badge enables you to bid for these contracts.